Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says he's enjoying retirement, but what does he think about the perception that he's not getting credit for the Windows developer's new products? To put it bluntly, he doesn't care.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Ballmer was asked if he isn't getting enough credit for products and services that have been announced by new CEO Satya Nadella but were primarily developed under him. In response, Ballmer said who gets the credit doesn't matter.
"I don’t think that’s an important topic, actually," he said. "It’s certainly not important to me. Microsoft is still like a child to me. So the fact that people are loving it, that’s all that really matters."
Nadella's first major public appearance came when Microsoft unveiled its Office apps for Apple's iPad, an event that drew accolades from most spectators. He'll next take the stage on Tuesday to unveil the company's new Surface products, an event that is also anticipated to garner a great deal of attention. Both unveilings obviously had their start under Ballmer, however, as the products have been in development far longer than Nadella's been chief executive.
In addition to discussing Microsoft's success, the Journal also asked Ballmer if he's interested in buying the Los Angeles Clippers, given their tumultuous ownership situation with Donald Sterling. Ballmer said he's "right on top" of the developments regarding the team's potential sale, though he wouldn't confirm his interest level. If he did buy the Clippers, however, Ballmer claims he would keep them in L.A.
"If I get interested in the Clippers, it would be for Los Angeles," Ballmer said. "I don’t work anymore, so I have more geographic flexibility than I did a year, year-and-a half ago. Moving them anywhere else would be value destructive."
Source: The Wall Street Journal
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